The words of the godly are like sterling silver. Proverbs 10:20 NLT
When I was young, I remember mom getting out her sterling silver that had tarnished and setting it aside. It looked awful. The sparkle, shine and beauty were no longer noticeable. She then would call all of us kids to the kitchen table, give us a polishing cloth and we’d polish the silver. I have to say this chore was definitely one I did not care to do.
Sterling silver is unique and the standard for beautiful high-quality silver jewelry. It’s 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal alloys to add strength and durability. But, however great the beauty of sterling silver, over time it begins to corrode due to the mixture of the metals.
Just as with our words over time they can be corroded by emotions, influences, or world views. Our words should carry healing, peace and encouragement to others. Yet, how many of us have brought judgment, bitterness or hurt by mere words spoken. Over time we get so wrapped up in conversing as the world does we don’t realize how tarnished our words and attitudes have become.
Cleaning up our language isn’t a fun chore. However, this is something we need to continually work on because our expressions should shine and bring encouragement to others.
So ask yourself if it is time to pull out your polishing cloth and clean up your language, words or expressions?
I enjoyed this Alene! I wrote a post along these same lines almost 3 years ago if you'd care to read it:
http://marilyn-nogreaterjoy.blogspot.com/2008/04/tarnished.html
Hope you're having a great week!
God bless you!
Marilyn
Oh mercy, God had to do some major polishing on my language years ago. It was pretty horrible, however, I found that as i drew closer to Him in relationship, my language cleaned up. Holy Spirit has this way of doing that.
I think our prayer every day should be
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord."
We need to put it where we can remember it. It will be a constant
reminder.
Thanks for sharing this with us. We need to be reminded.